JOB ANALYSIS: A REVIEW OF RESEARCH FINDINGS¹

Abstract

THE literature reviews by Ronan and Prien on criterion development (1966) and organization characteristics and performance (1968) propose a model for the study of individual performance behavior which includes essentially three elements ; the individual and his capability and motivations, the characteristics of the setting, and the tasks to which the individual directs his attention or which constitute the job. The model has as its focal point performance behavior within organizational systems and uses the concepts of dynamic interaction and balanced goal achievement in the organization as an open system. It should be sufficient a t this point and in this context to simply indicate that the job in its many facets is one of the considerations necessary to the comprehension of individual performance behavior.The scope of this review is not limited to the research literature dealing with the definitions and measurement of work and of necessity touches some areas tangential and peripheral to the main theme. As such, Some of the literature in sociology and anthropology is related to the complete understanding of what constitutes work in modern society.The review is organized into sections covering the historical, cultural, and societal etiological determinants of what constitute work. Second, the methodological approaches to the analysis of 1The literature survey for this review was

More Progress Toward a Taxonomy of Managerial Performance Requirements

“…Prien and Ronan (1971) and Campbell et al (1970), for example, criticized results of studies done in a single organization on the grounds that the managerial dimensions emerging from such efforts provide a narrow, parochial view of manager job performance requirements. Campbell et al recommended a broad sampling of managerial jobs to help identify a core set of dimensions that might be used subsequently to compare different manager jobs.…”

Proceedings of the Annual Conference of the Military Testing Association (19th), 17-21 October 1977, San Antonio, Texas

“…For example, the "improved" criteria of success is simply the opinion of an analyst and a trainer, which is hardly an objective criterion. Further the contractor asserts that no one has been concerned with the question of the validity of surve data; in this he largely ignores the concerns expressed by Kershner (1955 , by Prien and Ronan (1971), by Ash & Kroeker (1975), and by McCormick 1976), as well as others.…”

In Search of a Theoretical Framework for Practice, Part 1

“…Job analysis is the established means employed by psychology to analyse jobs, althOUgh its use has been disappointing as Prien and Ronan (1971) report: 'Efforts to develop a taxonomy which would include all jobs and based on procedures which could provide normative comparisons have not produced the desired results' (pp38Q.381). The present…”